Apparatus and method for manufacturing upholstery trim panels



Jan. 9, 1940.

A. S. MITCHELL ET AL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERYTRIM PANELS Filed Feb. l, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet l 1111 llllllflll4lll!Ill! lllllllllllllll JaIL 9, 1940 A. s. MITCHELL ET AL 2,185,838

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING' UPHOLSTERY TRIM-PANELS FiledFeb. l, 1937V 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 @a MQ@ g Jam 9, 1940- A. s. MITCHELL ETA1. 2,186,838

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERY TRIM PANELS Filed Feb.l, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 9, 1940.

A. s. MITCHELL ET AL 2,186,838 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURINGUPHOLSTERY TRIM PANELS Filed F'eb. l, 1957 8 Sheets-Shea*l 4 Jal) 9,1940- A. s. MITCHELL ET AL 2,186,838

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERY TRIM PANELS Z9 C@ (56,M3/aad@ 7,9% J Ww ad@ Jan 9, 1940- n A. s. MITCHELL ET AL 2,185,838

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERY TRIM PANELS A. S.MITCHELL ET AL Jan. 9, 1940.

APPARATUS AND METHOD PoR MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERY TRIM PANELs 8Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. l, 1937 Vfadezzafas:

gi? @3% w55 im@ A A a auf] 50M Jan. 9, 1940. A. s. MITCHELL ET A1.2,186,833

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING UPHOLSTERY TRIM PANELS Filed Feb.l, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 patented `an. 9, 194() UNITED STATES.

APPARATUS AND'METHOD FOR MANUFAC-r TURING UPHOLSTERY TRIM' YPANELSAllister S. Mitchell, Clarence J .4 Davies, and Harold M. Ratley,Detroit, Mich., assignors to NationalAutomotive Fibres, Inc., Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application February 1, 1937, SerialNo. 123,538

9 claims. (c1. 11a-2) tended from one. edge ofthe panel-plate to theother, causing undesirable lines of weakening. 15x-One of the objects ofthe present invention is to provide mechanism which will enable thesewing to be skipped in the marginal portions of the panel-plate, whenpassing through the machine, thereby avoiding undue weakening of thepanelgusplate. A further advantage is attained in avoiding sewingthrough the board at a margin, in cases where the margin is not covered.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for holdingthe sewing needlesv in retracted position while certain portions-of-v 2the panel-plate are passing the needles.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism fordisconnecting the driving engagement ofthe sewing needles from thedriving mechanism during the period that the nee- 30 dles are retractedfrom sewing engagement with the panels.

A further object of the invention is to provide control means for thesewing mechanism which is controlled automatically byy the panelplates,which are advanced by suitable conveyors. 'Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved clutch mechanism for driving aneccentric one-half a revolution and stopping and ,locking the eccentricin position during the period 4 between'operations. The clutch isy partof the control mechanism which, in turn, is controlled automatically bythe trim-panels, preferably.

The invention is illustrated in a.k preferred embodiment intheaccompanying drawings, in 45 whichi Fig. l'is a broken side elevationalView of a machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2, a b-rokenlongitudinal sectional view, taken as indifcated at line 2 of Fig. 5;Fig.v 3, a broken longitudinal sectional View, taken as indicated atline 3 of Fig. 5; Fig. 4,*a broken elevational vview'of one o-f theguide channels for a conveyor chain; Fig. 5, a broken plan view of themachine; Fig. 6, Vabroken elevational view of the machine showing thesewing heads; Fig. 7, a broken longitudinal sectional view, taken asindicated at line 'l of `Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a broken sectional view of thesolenoid-operated clutch mechanism, taken as inwg dicatedatline 8 ofFig. 7 Fig. 9, a fragmentary sectional view, taken as indicated at line9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10, a fragmentary sectional view, taken as indicatedat line IU of Fig. 8; Fig. 11', a fragmentary sectional View of theclutch head, y taken as indicated'at line. Il of Fig. 8; Fig. 12, 5 asectional. View, takenr as indicated at line l2 of Fig. 8; Fig. 13,l afragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing a portion ofthe sewing mechanism in sewing position; Fig. 14, a view similar to Fig.13, but showingthe mecha- .10 nism in collapsed position, wherein theneedle bar is disconnected from driving engagement with the operatingplunger; Fig. 15, a fragmentary sectional View of the roller-wedgemechanism for locking the needle-bar retracted position;l 15 Fig. 16, aplan sectional View, taken asindicatedfat line I6 of Fig.) 13; Fig. 17,a sectional View of the eccentric device,` taken as indicated at line Ilof Fig. 13; Fig. 18, a plan sectional view, taken as indicated at1ine|8l8 of Fig. 13; Fig. 19, a 20 sectional view, taken as. indicatedat line I9 of Fig. 13 Fig. 20, a. plan sectional view, takenl asindicated at line 29-20 of Fig.A 13; Fig. 21, a diagrammatic View of awiring plan of the electrical mechanism for operating a mastersolenoid;Fig. 22, a plan view of a completed trim-panekFig. 23, a sectional viewof the trim-panel, taken as indicated atline 23 of Fig. 22; and Fig. 24,a. sectional view of the trim-panel, taken as indicated at line 24 ofFig. 22.k

In the embodiment illustrated, A designates a main. frame provided withvertical standards .y A andcross. bars A2; B endless chain vconveyersvwhich travel through guide channels B and carry the trim-panels yforwardly to an endless belt conveyer B2; C, sewing headsmounted on thecross bars A2 and driven by a common `shaft C through` `couplers, C2,said sewing heads having locking devices C3 for holding the sewingneedles in retracted position and being further provided Y. withthread-tensioning devices C4; D, drive mech- 40' anism for the vario-usparts of the machine; i control mechanism including a solenoid-operatedclutch E' for enabling the operation of the sew-Iv ing heads to becontrolled automatically by move'- znent of the trim-panels; F, rearfeed rollers for pressing thetrim-panels against the conveyers B; G,idler presser rollsin front of the sewing.l mechanism; and H,trim-panels.

The frame lA and most of the sewing machine 5'0 isy of vstandardcommercial equip-ment and need. not be described in detail but as sho-wnin Figs. 1f 1, 5 and 6 the main frame A is provided with xed verticalstandards Ar which are connected by means of cross bars A2 andsupport'the sew-v 55. ing-mechanisms.

The chain conveyers B, best shown inFigs. 1 and 5,l travel in an endlesscircuit from the bottom of lthe machine, around the back and throughchannels B. As shown in Fig. 3, the

conveyers are provided with pins 25 which are adapted to engage thetrim-panels I-I and assure positive forward feeding of the same. Asshown in Fig. 4, the rear portions of the channel members B aresumciently high to prevent contact with the panel members until thelatter have passed under shoes 26 which are supported on a cross bar 2?.The upper edges of the channel members taper downwardly as indicated at28 to enable the rear feed rolls F to press lthe trimpanels intoengagement with the pins 25, as ex plained above. At the front ordelivery end of the machine is provided an endless `belt conveyer.

B2 which is supported on a standard 29 so as to receive and remove thetrim-panels after the sewing. operation.

The sewing heads C, best shown inFigs. 6,v 7,.

13 and 14 are pivotallysupported at their lower end on a shaft 3G in abracket 3| which is secured to the cross bar A2. Each head is providedwith a rocking guide member 32 in which is slidably mounted a needle-bar33 having one or.

. tric also provides a slight rocking movement about the shaft 38. Asshown in Fig. 7, the eccentric is surrounded by a yoke .SliL on which ismounted a rod Bib provided at its lower end with an internally threadedsocket 31C. To the upper end or" the needle bar 33 is adjustablyconnected a plunger 33a by means of a clamp 33h.

Releasable driving connections between the members 33a and 31C areprovided by the coupler C2. `As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the plunger3!! is provided with an annular groove 33c into which may be thrustballs 33d. A cylinder like member 38 is provided at its lower end with ashoulder 38 adapted to engage the enlarged piston like head 33e andlimit its downward travel. The member 38 is threaded to the socket 31Cat its upper end and its lower end is provided withl a plurality ofapertures for the balls 33d. The lower end of the member 3 is providedwith two vertically spaced annular grooves 38h which are adapted to beengaged by a spring-pressed ball 38C provided in a hollow stud 38d. Asleeve 39 provided at its upper end with a ange member 33a is slidablymounted on the member 38 and is urged upwardly thereon by means of acompression spring 39h. provided with an internally tapered groove 43 isslidably mounted on the member 38 and the sleeve member 39, and itsdownward travel on the member 39 is limited by a flange 43h. The taperedgroove enables the member 40 when moved to the position shown in Fig.13, to force the balls 33d into engagement with the groove 33c so thatthe rods 33a and 37b are locked together. However, if the member 49 ismoved upwardly on the member 33, the balls are free to move outwardlyand the head 33e is free to reciprocate within the cylinder 38. Thespringpressed ball 33 is carried by the member and serves to holdthe-member 451 yieldingly in either `the locking or unlocking position.The member Another sleeve member 4l)v 39 and the spring 39b serve asimpact members so that when it is desired to lock the coupler from theposition shown in Fig. 14 to that shown in Fig. 13, it is merelynecessary to depress the -flange 3Sa which will urge the sleeve ddownwardly to the lower notch 33h as soon as the groove 33c arrives at aposition to receive the balls 33d. On the other hand, to unlock thedevice, it is merely necessary to strike the lower end of Vthe sleeve 40tov move it into its upper position where the balls 'will be free tomove outwardly and unlock the device.

The coupler. is moved from locked to unlocked position and back again bymeans of a yoke 4| which has upper arms 4la and lower arms 2lb to engage ange 39a. andthe lower end of the cylinder 40,.respectively. Theyoke is slidably mounted on an `upright 42 which serves as a bearing foreccentric shaft 43 on which is iixedly mounted eccentrics 44 whichrotate within slide blocks 44a and thereby raise or lower the yoke whenthe shaft 43 is rotated.

A roller wedge device C3 is provided to hold the needle-bar 33 in itsupper position as shown in Figs. 13-15. A cover like member Iii.a isprovided on the guide block 32 and is provided with a wedge-shaped slot32h, in which is mounted a roller 45 provided with a head 45a. A slideblock 46 is yieldingly urged downwardly by a spring 46 against theroller 45 urging the latter to locking position.

'Ihe upper end of the cover member 32a is pivotally connected to theguide block 32, as indicated at 32C, and its lower end is yieldinglyheld against the guide-block by means of a cap screw 32c1 provided witha compression spring 32e so that the locking engagement is somewhatyielding. As shown in Fig. 15, the needlebar is provided with a hardsteel insert 33f to reduce the amount of wear. In operation theneedle-bar is drawn to its uppermost position by the shoulder 38apulling up the head 33e. During this movement, the roller 45 is urgeddownwardly by the block 46 and the bar is thereby locked in retractedposition. This happens immediately after the driving mechanism has beendisconnected by the coupler so that the wedge device merely supports theneedle-bar assembly,

Each of the sewing heads is provided with a pair of thread tensioningdevices C4. As shown in Fig. 14, each device has a pair of disks 47which are lightly pressed together by means of a compression spring 48whose outer end engages the head of a hollow pin 49. A roller arm 50 ispivotally mounted at the inner end of a plunger slidably mounted in thehollow pin so that the tension on thread held between the disks 41 maybe relieved by forcing the plunger outwardly. For this purpose the outerdisk 4l or a washer engaging this disk is provided with a portionspanning a slot extending from the outer end of pin 49. The slidableplunger engages this portion of the member 4l or the washer, as the casemay be. In the event that a washer is employed, this serves to relievethe tension of the spring 48. In the event that the portion spanning theslot is formed on the outer disk 41, motion of the plunger mechanicallyseparates the tension disk.

The roller Wedge device C3 and the thread tensioning devices CA2 areoperated by means of a pair of lever arms 5! which are pivot-allymounted on guide block 32 by means of a pivot 5l'1. The upper front cndoi' the levers is provided with aI camlike surface 5Ib which ls adaptedto engage' the roller arm 5U to relieve the 1l pressure between theldisks 41 when the sewing head is in collapsed position, as indicated inFig.

14. The front end of each lever is further provided with a pair ofnotches 5|c which are adapted to be engaged alternately by aspringpressed plunger 52 so that the levers willy rest in either lockingor unlocking position. The front upperedges'of the levers 5| are adaptedto engage the heads 115EL and lunlock the needle-bar when the levers arerocked tothe vposition shown in Fig. 13. Movement of the levers 5| iscontrolled by a rock shaft 53 which is. `iournalled in the yoke 4| andhas apair of rearwardly-extending arms 53?. which are connected totherear ends v52 on the levers 5|. tinues to move downwardly the links 54are forced down andthexlevers 5| are pressed into the posiof the levers5| by means of links 54. As best shown in Figs. 14 and 18, the rockshaft is further provided with forwardly extending arms 53b disposedbetween the yoke arms 4|b and are adaptedv to engage the lower end ofthe member 38 of 'the rod 31D when the yoke 4| is in proper position.The yyoke 4| is further provided with laterallyextending stop arms 4|=which are adapted to engage the endsof thellnks 54 and rock the levers5| to the position in Fig. 13'when the yoke I4| is moved to itslowermostposition. The stop arms 4|c are fixed to the'yoke 4| so that in thecollapsed position illustrated in Fig. 14 there will be about rivethirty-*seconds of an inch clearance between the tcp of the links 54 andsaid arms.

`@This clearance is taken up during the first downward movement of theyoke asl the links 54 are held in position through the action ofplungers However, as the yoke conchain D', said pulley driving the shaftC by means of 'a belt D2. A vertical shaft D3 is driven from the shaft Cby means of a pair of bevelled gears and is provided near its centerportion with a worm gear which drives a shaft D4V to provide power forthe clutch. E. The shaft D3 is provided near its lower end with asprocket wheel which drives another vertical shaft D6 by means of asprocket chain D5. A horizontal shaft Dr1 is driven from the shaft D6 bymeans of a worm and gear. As shown in Fig. 7, the shaft DI is pro-yvided with a sprocket wheelto drive a sprocket chain D8 which passesaround a lower idler wheel and up over a double sprocket wheel 56 which,inturn, drives the rear feed rolls F by means of a sprocket chain D9..-As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the conveyor B2 is also driven from theshaft D'I by means of a sprocket chain D10 which drives 'a shaft 51 atthe central portion of the conveyer andthus power is transmitted to thefront end of the conveyer by means 'of an additional sprocket chain D11.'As best shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the

lower 'end of the shaft D3'is provided with bevvelled, gears to drive astub shaft D12, which in scribed below, serve'to operate the mastersolenoid 62 and cause the clutch E to rotate eccenvtrics 44 on the shaft43, one-half a revolution during each operation .to actuate the yoke,i4-,1, as

explained above. The eccentrics 44 are arranged so that the yoke doesnot normally'rest in its uppermost or lowermost position but preferablythe eccentrics turn about 50 beyond center so that the arms 4|a and 4|Dwill normally be out of contact with the rapidly reciprocating couplerC2.

In order to provide rapid and exact movement, the clutch EY -is designedto rotate the shaft 43 one-half turn each time it is thrown .intoengagement rwith vthe driving mechanism D4 by the master solenoidZ. Thewiring diagram for the master solenoid is illustrated in Fig. 2'1wherein the trim-panels H advance from right to left. The position ofthe sewing needles is indicated by the circles 34. The contactiingers58, 59, and 6| normally ground their circuits but the circuits areopened when the contact fingers are engaged by a trim-panel. Power forthe solenoid is obtained from a suitable source indicated at 63 and atransformer B4 supplies current for the solenoid operated switches v65,65, 61 and 58. As

68, the switch 61, however, being normally held open. yby Contact finger50 and switch 63 being normally held closed by contact vnger 5 When atrim panel is placed on the chain ccn-v veyers B and fed into the machneit actuates in rotation the contact fingers 58-6|, inclusive. As itmoves to the left it opens contacts 58 and 59 and holds them open aslong as the panel is over them. Uponreaching the position shown at theleft of Fig. 21, the panelthen opens contact 60 and de-energizes thesolenoid of switch 6l. The switch 61 is then closed and energizes themaster solenoid 62, which in turn,l throws in the clutch E and causesthe shaft 43-to make half a revolution. f

The panel then advances and opens contact 6| which de-energizes thesolenoidofvswitch G8 and opens the energizing `circuit of the mastersole, noid. When the rear edge of the panel clears contact finger 58,the solenoid of switch 55 is energized and again closes the circuit ofthe master solenoid to enable it to throw in the clutch and give theshaft 43 another half turn. When the rear edge of the panel clearscontact 59, the solenoid of switch 6B is again energized to break thesolenoid circuit of switch 65 and thereby deenergize the solenoid. Thusit will be understood and contact 59 deenergizes the solenoid. This arrangement enables the advancing trim-panel to automatically control theoperation of the sewing heads. A

The solenoid operated clutch E', shown in Figs. 6 and 8-12 will now bedescribed. lThe driving half of the clutch k69 is suitably journalled ina thrust bearing `'IIJ and is driven by the drive mechanism D'1 througha worm gear 1|. The

rdriven portion of a clutch 12 is fixed on a sleeve 13 which is splinedto shaft 43. The clutch is supported `on a standard 14 secured to across bar A2. `A brake drum 15 is journalled on the shaft 43 and isprovided with clutch teeth to ensleeve 13, as viewed in Figr8, toslowdown the rotation of the driven parts when the' clutch is 'gagecooperating teeth 13a :at the left endof the y disengaged. The device isprovided with a suitable brake-band 'I52L which is adjustably secured tothe standard 14 by means of a machine screw 75h, as shown in Fig. 8.

The sleeve '13 is provided with a flange 16 pro vided with a pair ofnotches 'i6al which are adapted to be engaged by a roller 11 fixedlyjournalled on the standard 14. Thus it will be seen that when the drivenhalf of the clutch 12 is thrown into engagement with the driving head SSit cannot be released from driving engagement until the half turn iscompleted to permit the roller IT to engage the other notch 16a. Theroller also assures the stopping of the shaft 43 in its proper angularposition.

Because of the -rapid rotation of the shaft; it is not practical to havethe solenoid become energized and de-energized before the shaft has madea half turn and additional means are desirable .ato allow the sleeve 'f3to move back to disengaged position. For this reason, a collar 18 isjournalled on the sleeve 13 and has two lugs 'I8a on the rear, or leftface, and two lugs 'I8b on its front face (see Figs. 11 and 12). Thedriven half of the clutch 'l2 is provided with a circular groove finger80b and a diametrically opposed inwardly extending block 89c which issubstantially square in cross-section. The finger 8l]b and the block 88normally engage and bear against the lugs 'I8s1 of the collar 18, asshown in Fig. 11. However,

.gwhen the clutch is thrown into engagement and the collar T8 rotates,the finger 88h and block 80c slip o of the lugs 18a and the sleeve 73 isfree to move to the left when the roller 'H reaches the lnext notch'I6-n.

The collar 'I8 is held from further rotation when the block 80C engagesthe edge of one of the lugs 78a on the collar 18. However, as the clutchis still engaged, the driven head 12 continues 'to be turned against thecompressionsprings T9. After roller TI drops into one of the notches16a, the clutch becomes disengaged,the

' driven half of the clutch is turned through 180 but the collar isstopped after about of movement and turns the remaining 30 after thesolenoid is de-energized. As shown in Fig. 8, a. tension-spring 6F tendsto throw the clutch out of engagement when the master solenoid circuitis broken. Also, a compression-spring 8l is disposed between the clutchheads 69 and 'I2 Vto urge the head 12 out of engagement with the drivinghead G9 and to urge the rear end of the sleeve into engagement with thebrake drum 15 to stop the sleeve from turning.

As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 7, the forming rolls F are mounted on a shaft82, in rear ofthe sewing-mechanism and driven by the socket chain Da intimed relation to the rest of the machine.

The idler presser rolls G are mounted on a cross shaft -3 provided atits ends with journal blocks 84 which are slidably mounted in verticalLooper-needle threads 92 are drawn from spoolsv 93 beneaththe'sewing-mechanism, through a tensioning device 94 and a guide 95, aswill be readily understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 7.

Thetrim panel H illustrated in' Figs. 22-23A comprises a cardboardpanel-plate S6 upon which is superposed cotton padding 91 and a coverfabric 98. Before this assembly is brought to the machine, the mainportion of the panel-plate 96 has its uppersurface coated with asuitable adhesive to hold the cotton padding 91 thereon. The lateraledge portions of the cover are turned under the panel-plate and areadhesively secured thereto, as indicated at 98a. However, the coverfabric does not extend to the full length of the panel-plate but a freemarginal portion 96a is provided to which is secured a kick pad 99,after the trim-panel leaves the machine. The kick pad may be applied bymeans of stitching 99 and a binding strip 99h. Also, the top of the trimpanel may be provided with a bolster |00 which is stitched to theassembly, as indicated at Ia and its top edge portion is turned underthe panel-plate and adhesively secured thereto, as indicated at |001.

It may be noted that the machine is adapted to make trim panels ofvarious sizes. For example, the contact fingers 58, 59, 60 and 6I areslidably mounted in a T-shaped slot I0! disposed beneath the bed plateof the machine |02 so that they may be moved longitudinally of themachine to accommodate various lengths of panels. Also,

- additional looper-needles and sewing needles may be installed and thelooper-needles and sewing heads are laterally adjustable on the shaftsC', 43, cross bar A2, and louper-needle shaft D13.

` Operation Trim panels H having panel-plates, partially covered withcotton-padding 9T and the cover fabric 98, are placed between the shoes25 and the conveyer channels B. The rollers F press the panel-plate intoengagement with the pins on the conveyers and it is advanced into sewingposition beneath the needles 34. The sewing needles are held retractedwhile the contact fingers 58 and 59 are depressed by the advancing panelbut when contact finger 60 is depressed, the master solenoid 62 isenergized, throws the clutch E into engagement with the drivingmechanism and causes eccentrics 44 to rotate 180. This movement releasesthe roller-wedge device C3 and causes the coupler C2 to make drivingengagement between the needle-bar 33 and the shaft 31h. It may be notedthat the sewing does not start at the'front edge of the panel-plate butbegins as the Vsuperposecl cover fabric reaches the sewing needle. Asthe panel advances further, contact finger` 6| is moved to deenergizethe solenoid but the sewing continues until the rear edge of the panelpermits contact 58 to close its circuit and re-energize the solenoid tocause another o rotation of the eccentrics 44. This action retracts thesewing needles from the trim IIT panel and when the rear edge of thepanel clears contact finger 59, the` solenoid is again de-energized toprevent its being burned out.

It may be noted thatv by skipping the sewing at the front andlrearmarginal portions of the panel-plate, theplate is not weakened byuseless perforations and needless sewing and resulting waste of .threadavoided. In order to accomplish this it is necessary that the needles beheld retracted from the trim panel so that the needles will not bebroken. In the embodiment illustrated,'the plungers'!b operatecontinuously and the sewing bars 33 are released from driving engagementby the coupler C2. Ofr course, the sewing heads might be raised bodilyfrom sewing engagement with the trim-panel and permitted to continue toreciprocate, but by using the construction illustrated, there are nolost stitches.

The foregoing detailed description has` been given for. clear-ness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom,l but the appended claims should be construedv as broadly aspermissible, in view of the-.prior art. f

We claim:

l. Apparatus for the purpose set forth, comprising'mechanism foradvancing panel-plates provided with panel-covers to and past sewingposition; sewing mechanisms, including reciprocable needles operativelypositioned adjacent said advancing mechanism, for sewing saidpanelcoversto said panel-plates; and control-means controlled by ythepanel-plates for regulating the ,operation of said sewing needlescomprising mechanism for holding the sewing needles fro-:nfabric-engaging position, a clutch for operating said holdingmechanism,and spaced fingers disposed in the path of the panel-plates forcontrolling the operation of said clutch. V

2. In the manufacture of trim panels, a method which comprises: applyingpanel-covers to panelboards and adhesiv'ely joining the margins ofthe'panel-covers to the panel-plates; and then continuously feeding thecover-equipped panels seriatim through a gang sewing-machine whichserves to sew lines of stitchings through the panel boardsl and theircovers, the operation of the needles being suspended while the advancemargins and rear margins of the panels are passing the needles.

3. A method as setforth in claim 2, in which theadvance vportions andrear portions of the panels, respectively, control the starting and thestopping of the operation of the needles.

Il. Apparatus of the character set forth comprising; reciprocableneedles for stitching panel covers of `the panel4 plates; drivingmechanism for operating said needles; conveyors for advancing said panelplates to and past sewing position seriatim; means for driving saidconveyors and needles` ina timed relation; and means for automaticallyretracting and holding the sewing needles retracted during the intervalin which said panel covers are notfpassing the sewing needles, saidAlast mentioned means comprising an eccentric adapted to be driven a halfturn during each operation by a clutch connected to the drivingmechanism.

5. Apparatus ofthe character set forth comprising; reciprocable needlesfor stitching panel covers of the panel plates; driving mechanism foroperating said needles; conveyors for advancing said panel plates toand'past sewing position 'seriatinu lmeans `for driving said conveyorsand needles in a timed relation; and means for automatically retractingand holding the sewing needles retracted during the interval in whichsaid vpanel covers are not passing the sewing needles, said last meanscomprising an eccentric adapted to be driven a half turn during eachoperation by a clutch connected to the driving mechanism, andadditionaly means to lock said clutch in engaged position during saidoperation and lock part of the clutch against further turnmovement aftercompletingsaid half turn. 6. Apparatus of the character'set forthcomprising a conveyor, sewing mechanism operably related to saidconveyor for sewing articles on `said conveyor, means responsive totravel ,ofy

articles on said conveyor for controlling said sewing mechanism, saidmeans comprising an eccentric cooperating with said sewing mechanism,

a'rconstantly rotating'power shaft, a clutch for connecting said powershaft to said eccentric for a halfturmshifting means movable to oneposition toengage said clutch, means for preventing releasev of saidclutch for said'half turn, and means for disengaging'said clutch after ahalf turn virrespective of the position of said shifting means.

"7. Apparatus of the character set forth comprising a conveyor, sewingmechanism operably related to said conveyor for sewing. articles on".said conveyor,`means responsive to travel of articles on saidconveyorfor controlling said sewing. mechanism, said means comprising aneccentric cooperating with said sewing mechanism, a constantly rotatingpower shaft, a clutch for connecting said-power shaftto said eccentricfor a half turn, shifting means movable to one position to engage saidclutch, 'and means for disengaging said yclutch after a half turnirrespective of theposition of said'shifting means.

8. In a device of the character described, an

article conveyor, sewing mechanism positioned to operateonarticles onsaid conveyor, control means for rsaid sewing mechanismand actuatingmeans including a solenoid for actuating said control means, saidactuating rmeans also including a pair of switches adjacent saidconveyorv in position to be engaged by articles on said conveyor, saidswitches being positioned on lopposite sidesof said sewing mechanism andbeing adjustable along the conveyor, engagement of the leading edge ofan article with the rst switch having no effect on said sewingmechanism, engagement of -the leading edge of an article with the'second switch initiating sewing, and separation of the trailing edge ofan article from said first switohterminating sewing.

9. In Athe manufacture of trim panels, the

method which comprises: applying'panel-covers to panel-boards;continuously feedingthe coverequipped panels successively past a sewingma-l chine adaptedto sew lines of stitching through the panel-boards andtheir covers; and retaining the needls of the sewing machine inoperativeand in position to clear the panels while the advance and rear marginsof the panels are passing the needles, and operatingsaid needles to sewsaid panelsy while the central portions of said panels are passing theneedles.

A', ALL'ISTER s. MITCHELL. CLARENCE J; DAVIEs.

1 HAROLD M. RA'ILEY.

